Here are the top 4 Time etc alternatives worth a look in 2026. Each takes a different approach, so this blog is only meant to help you match a provider to what your business actually needs.
Top Time etc Alternatives
| Virtual Assistant Company | Starting price (per company materials) | Hours included | Talent location | Notable feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wishup | $1,299/mo | 80 or 160 hrs/mo | Offshore + US options | Automation-expert VAs trained on 120+ AI & automation tools |
| Prialto | $1,500/mo | 55 hrs per unit | Global (managed) | Engagement manager + backup virtual assistant |
| Boldly | $2,600/mo | 40 hrs/mo | US-based (W-2) | Full-time employee assistants |
| BELAY | Custom quote (not published) | Varies by engagement | US-based | Broad services incl. bookkeeping support |
1. Wishup
Wishup: Best for founders who want AI-skilled virtual assistants at a lower entry price
Wishup is a managed virtual assistant service. Wishup is best for founders who want virtual assistant support with AI and automation skills at a lower entry price.
Wishup's pricing model is a dedicated assistant on a fixed daily schedule. Time etc's pricing model is a monthly bucket of hours. A Wishup assistant works every business day on one of two schedules: 4 hours per day or 8 hours per day.
Wishup's starting price is $1,299 per month. The 4-hours-per-day plan provides approximately 80 hours per month. The 8-hours-per-day plan provides approximately 160 hours per month. Time etc's largest standard plan provides 60 hours for $2,160 per month. Wishup's starting plan therefore provides 20 more hours than Time etc's largest standard plan at $861 less per month.
Wishup offers two talent locations: offshore and US-based. Offshore assistants offer lower pricing. US-based assistants offer time-zone and location alignment.
Wishup's key differentiator is AI and automation training. Wishup virtual assistants are trained on more than 120 AI and automation tools, including Zapier, ChatGPT, and HubSpot. This training benefits businesses with manual, repeatable tasks, because the assistant can automate parts of that work.
Choose Wishup if you need more monthly hours than an hours-bundle model provides, and if AI readiness and a low starting price are top priorities.
2. Prialto
Best for: Buyers who want managed, team-backed support instead of a standalone assistant.
Prialto is built around a managed-service model. Per the company's published pricing, plans start at $1,600/month for one "Prialto Unit" of 55 hours of support, with a global talent pool and a setup fee in the first month.
Each engagement includes an engagement manager who oversees quality and workflow, plus a backup assistant who provides coverage if your primary virtual assistant is unavailable. Prialto gives you an assistant inside a managed system. For buyers who worry about continuity, or who want someone other than themselves managing the assistant, that structure is the main selling point.
Consider Prialto if: managed oversight and built-in backup coverage matter more to you than US-based talent.
3. Boldly
Best for: Buyers who want a US-based assistant on a full-time employee model.
Boldly sits at the premium end of this list. Rather than working with contractors, Boldly's assistants are W-2 employees, full-time staff rather than freelancers. Per the company's materials, subscription plans start at $2,600/month for 40 hours, with the ability to adjust monthly plans as needs change.
Boldly might be the most expensive option here. If Time etc's contractor-style flexibility feels too light for the role you are filling, Boldly's employee model is the natural step up.
Consider Boldly if: you prioritize a US-based, employee-model assistant and continuity.
4. BELAY
Best for: Buyers who want a US-based provider covering more than admin work.
Beyond executive assistants, BELAY also offers adjacent services such as bookkeeping and marketing assistant support, which makes it a fit for buyers who want one provider across several functions.
One important difference from Time etc: BELAY does not publish its pricing. Quotes are provided through a sales consultation and customized to each engagement. Figures circulating in third-party online discussions have described costs in the range of roughly $3,800/month for under 90 hours (around $42/hour), but these come from anonymous forum posts, have not been confirmed by BELAY, and may be inaccurate or outdated.
If transparent published pricing matters to you, factor the sales-call step into your evaluation.
Consider BELAY if: you want a US-based provider with services beyond admin support, and you are comfortable going through a consultation to get pricing.
How to choose the best Time etc alternative?
There is no universally "best" provider here, only the best fit for your situation. A few questions can help narrow it down:
- How much does AI-readiness matter? If your delegated work is mostly manual and repeatable, a provider whose virtual assistants are trained on automation tools may compress the hours the work takes in the first place.
- How many hours do you actually need? If your workload fits inside 10 to 60 hours a month, Time etc's bundles are genuinely convenient. If you need daily, ongoing coverage, dedicated-assistant models deliver more hours per dollar.
- What is your budget? Published entry prices in this group range from $1,299/month to $2,600/month, with BELAY quoted individually, so cost will quickly rule some options in or out.
- How important is talent location? If a US-based assistant is non-negotiable, Boldly and BELAY keep that constraint. If you are open to offshore or global talent, Wishup and Prialto give you more pricing flexibility.
- Do you want built-in oversight? Managed models with engagement managers and backup coverage offer more structure than a standalone assistant.
Each of these companies has earned its place in the market by serving a particular kind of buyer well. The smartest move is to shortlist two or three that map to your priorities, then confirm current pricing and terms directly with each.
Note: Pricing, hours, and features described above reflect figures published in each company's own materials at the time of writing, except where expressly noted as unverified third-party reports, and are subject to change. All company and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. This content is not endorsed by, affiliated with, or authorized by any company mentioned. Confirm current details directly with each provider before making a purchasing decision.
